Sourcing radar antennas from China

Zero duty on the selected radar antenna lines

Heading 8529 covers aerials, aerial reflectors and associated parts, alongside parts for the apparatus of headings 8524 to 8528. For radar antenna purchases, distinguish the aerial itself, filters, reflectors and electronic assemblies. The table gives candidate classifications, not a blanket code for everything fitted to a radar.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded. Elsewhere in the heading, the supplied facts list suspensions restricted to specified uses involving radio and television apparatus; do not assume these cover radar parts.

Send the datasheet, assembly drawing and description of what is supplied to your customs broker to confirm the commodity code. The antennas and display parts guide covers the wider heading.

Specify the radar interface and measured performance

State the radar model, antenna part number and drawing revision. Agree the operating band, gain, polarisation, beam pattern, sidelobe performance and acceptable mismatch across the band. Specify the connector or waveguide interface, mounting pattern, alignment references and cable arrangement. Ask for measured plots for the actual sample, with the measurement setup identified.

Define whether the order includes only the antenna and radome, or also drive parts and radio electronics. If the supplied product is radio equipment, the importer must not place it on the Great Britain market unless it conforms with the essential requirements. Settle the product scope with your testing and certification adviser before approving the order.

For exposed installations, agree the radome material, sealing arrangement, corrosion protection and packing supports. Specify how the factory will protect feed interfaces and prevent the reflector or mounting flange from being distorted in transit.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 10 replacement radar antennas for a marine electronics business, illustrative under 8529 10 69 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £31,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £31,800, so it is £6,360. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity and fit: match part numbers and drawing revisions to the approved sample; check flange geometry, mounting holes, connector orientation and alignment references.

Performance: compare sample measurements with the agreed gain, beam pattern and mismatch limits across the operating band; check that plots identify the tested antenna and setup.

Outdoor construction: inspect radome seams, seals, cable entries, coatings and fasteners; check water resistance against the agreed specification.

Packing and arrival: check protective caps, rigid supports and restraint against movement; inspect for dents, bent flanges, cracked radomes and moisture. Include these checks in the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

An antenna can fit the mounting bracket yet have the wrong polarisation, feed interface or beam pattern. A gain plot without a sample identity or measurement setup leaves the buyer unable to compare deliveries. Approve the mechanical drawing and measured sample together.

Water entering a feed connection and distortion during packing can undermine an otherwise acceptable sample. Agree sealing checks and packing supports before production, then compare the delivered goods with the approved sample before installation.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.